What Is the Difference? - Play Free

Quick Answer: Patience and solitaire are the same thing — both refer to the same family of single-player card games. "Patience" is the traditional British and European term, while "solitaire" is the American term. The distinction is purely regional and linguistic, not mechanical. Both names describe identical games with identical rules.

If you have ever searched online for solitaire rules and found results talking about "patience games," you may have wondered: are these the same thing? The short answer is yes. The longer answer involves a fascinating linguistic journey through 18th-century Europe, the cultural divergence between British and American English, and the global spread of single-player card games. This guide explains the complete history of both terms and what they mean around the world.

The Core Fact: They Are the Same Games

Let us start with the most important point: when a British player says they are playing "patience" and an American player says they are playing "solitaire," they are almost always talking about the exact same games with the exact same rules.

• Klondike patience = Klondike solitaire (the classic game)
• Spider patience = Spider solitaire
• FreeCell patience = FreeCell solitaire
• Pyramid patience = Pyramid solitaire

The rules, mechanics, cards used, win conditions — all identical. Only the names differ, based on the player's country of origin.

Definition: Patience is the term used in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, and much of continental Europe for single-player card games that Americans call "solitaire." The word reflects the patient, meditative nature of playing card games alone.

The Origin of "Patience"

The term "patience" for single-player card games appears to have originated in France. The French word "patience" was used to describe these games in the late 18th century — the earliest known references to solitary card games in European literature. The word made intuitive sense: playing alone required patience, the game rewarded patient strategic thinking, and the leisurely pace of solo card play was itself a form of practicing patience.

From France, the term spread to Germany (where the games were also called "Patience"), Scandinavia, and crucially to Britain. The British adopted both the games and the French terminology, and "patience" became firmly established as the standard British term by the early 19th century.

The earliest known comprehensive books on patience games were published in English — specifically in Britain — during the 1870s and 1880s. Lady Adelaide Cadogan's Illustrated Games of Patience (1870) is one of the most cited early references. By this point, "patience" was so established in British card-game culture that it appeared in formal published titles.

For more on the early history of these games, see our solitaire history and origins guide.

The Origin of "Solitaire" in America

The American term "solitaire" has a different etymology. "Solitaire" comes from the Latin "solitarius" (solitary, alone) and was used in English before it became associated with card games — it referred to a board game played alone (peg solitaire), a single gemstone setting in jewelry, and a type of reclusive bird.

The use of "solitaire" for single-player card games in America appears to have developed in the 19th century as American English diverged from British English. American players adopted "solitaire" from the broader English meaning of "something done alone" and applied it to solo card games.

By the time [Klondike solitaire](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patience_(game) became popular during the 1890s Klondike Gold Rush (the game is believed to have been popularized among prospectors in the Yukon region of Canada), "solitaire" was the established American term. When Microsoft shipped Windows Solitaire in 1990, the American term was permanently cemented in global digital gaming vocabulary — even in countries that traditionally used "patience."

Regional Names Worldwide

The same games are called different names in different countries and languages:

| Country/Language | Term Used | Notes | |-----------------|----------|-------| | United States | Solitaire | Most common globally due to Windows | | United Kingdom | Patience | Traditional British term | | Ireland | Patience | Follows British usage | | Australia | Patience or Solitaire | Both used; older generation prefers patience | | Canada | Both used | Often "solitaire" in English Canada, "patience" in Quebec | | France | Patience | French origin of the term | | Germany | Patience or Solitär | Both German adaptations used | | Spain | Solitario | Spanish adaptation | | Italy | Solitario | Italian adaptation | | Portugal/Brazil | Paciência | Portuguese adaptation (patience) | | Netherlands | Patience | Dutch follows French/British usage | | Scandinavia (Sweden, Norway, Denmark) | Patiens / Kabale | Scandinavian terms; "Kabale" particularly in Denmark |

The Danish "Kabale" is particularly interesting — it gives us the name "Canfield" in some contexts and reflects Scandinavian card-playing traditions that contributed to early solitaire development.

Peg Solitaire: A Different Game Entirely

There is one complication worth noting: "solitaire" also refers to peg solitaire — a completely different game played on a board with pegs and holes, with no cards involved. Peg solitaire predates card solitaire; there are references to it in 17th-century France.

Peg solitaire (also called "peg puzzle" or "marble solitaire") involves jumping pegs over each other to reduce the board to as few pegs as possible. The classic version has a 33-position board; the goal is to end with one peg in the center.

When Americans say "solitaire" without qualification, they almost always mean card solitaire. But when "solitaire" appears in a context involving a board or pegs rather than cards, it refers to the completely different peg game.

[Wikipedia's patience (game) article](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patience_(game) distinguishes between these uses clearly.

Why Does It Matter Which Term You Use?

For practical gameplay purposes, it does not matter at all — the games are identical. However, the terminology matters for:

Search intent: If you are searching for rules or strategies, both "patience solitaire" and "solitaire patience" searches return relevant results. Using both terms in searches ensures you find resources from both British and American sources.

International communities: If you participate in international card game forums or communities, you may encounter both terms. Recognizing them as synonyms prevents confusion. The [Wikipedia Solitaire article](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patience_(game) — the most authoritative free reference for card game rules — uses "patience" as its primary term, reflecting its British card-game tradition focus.

Naming conventions: When a rule book, app, or website uses "patience," it likely follows British card game traditions, which may include slightly different variant names or rule conventions than American sources.

The Modern Convergence

Thanks to Microsoft Solitaire (1990) and the global spread of digital gaming, "solitaire" has largely overtaken "patience" as the commonly recognized term even in Britain and Australia — particularly among younger players. A 2022 survey of UK players aged 18–34 found that "solitaire" was more recognized than "patience" in that age group, while players 50+ overwhelmingly preferred "patience."

This linguistic shift reflects how a single piece of software changed global card-game vocabulary. Microsoft's decision to name their game "Solitaire" rather than "Patience" in 1990 had lasting cultural impact.

Today, most major digital platforms — whether targeting US or UK audiences — use "solitaire" as the primary term. "Patience" persists in formal card game literature, older publications, and among traditionalist players.

For more on the history that connects these terms, see our history of playing cards guide and our complete beginners guide to solitaire.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is patience the same as solitaire?

Yes, completely. "Patience" and "solitaire" are two names for the same family of single-player card games. Patience is the British term and solitaire is the American term. Klondike solitaire and Klondike patience are identical games with identical rules.

Why do British people say patience instead of solitaire?

The term "patience" originated in France and spread to Britain in the 18th–19th centuries as the standard name for single-player card games. "Solitaire" developed separately in American English from a broader meaning of "something done alone." The two terms evolved independently in different language communities.

Which term is used more internationally?

"Solitaire" has become more globally dominant since Microsoft Solitaire launched with Windows 3.0 in 1990. The software introduced hundreds of millions of players worldwide to the American term. However, "patience" remains the preferred term in formal card game literature and among older players in the UK and Australia.

Are there other names for solitaire around the world?

Yes. Spanish and Italian speakers use "solitario," Portuguese speakers use "paciência," and Danish players often use "kabale." German speakers use both "Patience" and "Solitär." Each language adapted the term through either the "patience" (solitary/meditative) or "solitaire" (alone) etymological path.

What is peg solitaire and is it related to card solitaire?

Peg solitaire is a completely different game played on a board with pegs, where the goal is to jump pegs over each other to reduce the board to one peg. It shares only the name "solitaire" (meaning "alone") and predates card solitaire. There is no mechanical relationship between the two games.

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💡 Gameplay Rule Clarification (2026)

Remember that low-value cards (Aces and Twos) should always be moved to the foundations immediately as they serve no strategic building purpose on the tableau. Pace your draws to prevent early card congestion.